Sunday, April 21, 2019

Easter 2019

Easter at Home with Jim and Olga

Home

Amy and I opted for simple recipes that just look difficult.  Is there anything better? Notes
Olga made some fantastic sweet egg bread

Our great friends Jim and Olga

Barney with the beet-dyed hard-boiled eggs

Beet dyed hard-boiled eggs
Beet dyed deviled eggs
Asparagus Caprese Salad: Roasted asparagus with roasted cherry tomatoes, balsamic honey dressing, and parmesan cheese.
Italian Easter Pie. 
Prosciutto on the bottom, Mozzarella/Ham/Samami/Ricotta/Egg layer, Sweet Italian Sausage layer covered with Roasted Red Pepper, topped with Chopped Spinach below a crust. 

Bloody Mary with garnish of bacon, deviled egg, olives and gherkin pickle. 

Blood Orange semifreddo

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Jenn Gnecco is ENGAGED!!

Biggie's


Our good friend Jennifer Gnecco got engaged to Matthew Lawrence.  We went to dinner to celebrate and hear about their trip to Florida.
Notes

Biggie's Po Boy: Cajun fried whole belly clams with tartar sauce atop red cabbage and tomatoes on Italian bread
Turkey Chili:  Ground turkey, kidney beans, tomatoes, peppers and onions seasoned with chili spices & topped with cheddar cheese
Chicken, Shrimp & Broccoli Rabe BOWL:  Pan fried chicken, shrimp, garlic & broccoli rabe simmered in a chicken broth

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Secaucus Bonefish Grill for Happy Hour

Bonefish Grill


Expiring this week for $5. So we decided to come and see what it's all about.

Notes

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Bang Bang Shrimp

Beef Sliders

Cod Sliders

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Saturday, April 6, 2019

Houlihan's Paramus, NJ



Amy's still on crutches, but we went to the Lowes, Road Runner Sports, Lunch at Houlihan's, and then to Whole Foods ... Where Amy had too much fun on the scooter.


Notes

Cauliflower grits with shrimp, and arugula with vinegarette
Exposing the grits
House Salad
Half Sandwich : French Dip with fries 
Amy driving around Whole Foods in Paramus

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Good Old Fashion Politics

The Graycliff



Mayor/State Senator Brian P. Stack hosted a Spring Gala at The Graycliff Banquet Hall.  This is the second or third such event that we have been invited to - a flier in the door.    
Notes

Moonachie is a suburb in the Meadowland area.  The venue's immediate surroundings to the South and East are industrial buildings, to the West is Teterboro Airport, and then to the North is Residential.

The Graycliff is a banquet oasis in the middle of all this.  Hedges keep the surroundings peaceful and private.  

Senator Stack represents New Jersey's 33rd Congressional District: all of Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, and a portion of Jersey City. - Were all 250,000 residents invited?

By the time we arrived, all the tables were full and the people seemed to have set up residence.
We arrived at 7, the advertised start.  The reception line was out the door and down the building.  Amy's crutches got us cut into the front of the line. 

Inside there was a photo booth and we DID NOT see a coat check as we navigated to the ballroom where the main buffet was set out.

Calimari Salad, Macaroni Salad, and Pasta Salad
Red and Yellow Roasted Peppers
Raw Clams, boiled shrimp, followed by vegetables, dip, and pieces of bread.
PASTA!  Penne in marinara, tortellini in alfredo, ziti in Bolognese
Italian sausage and peppers, Tostones, and Maduros
Meat Balls, Eggplant Rollatini, Chicken, Rice and Beans and off the end: Seafood Paella

I did not get a photo of the carving stations, or the open bars.
The auxiliary buffet, seating, and bar in the tent-in-the-parking lot annex
And of course, Music and Dancing!


Wednesday, March 27, 2019

First Montauk Trip of the Season

Hurricane Grill & Wings


Our First trip to Montauk this year. We are taking Wednesday and Thursday to go out, inspect the new windows, turn over the garden, and make sure all is well for the summer season.

Notes


This restaurant is off the road, and you have to know where you are going.  They've been here SIX years, so they must not be too hidden.  This is a great spot for mid-trek stopping.

They have GREAT SPECIALS


These Tacos are very healthy... IF you skip the chips.

Perfectly seared Ahi Tuna cooked medium rare served on top of an Asian slaw in two flour tortillas. Finished with a Cucumber Wasabi sauce and green onions. Ahi Tuna Taco | 620 Cal.

 

The teriyaki Steak was excellent. The meat is tender and shredded.

Teriyaki glazed steak sautéed with red bell peppers and broccoli. Served on a bed of our Cilantro Lime rice and topped with sesame seeds. Teriyaki Beef Bowl | 1330 Cal.